Summer movies aren’t defined by when they’re released, but by how they feel. Over the past decade, filmmakers have delivered plenty of films that capture the energy of summer. From coming-of-age stories and road trips to holidays, these films capture the many sides of summer on screen.
Now that we have just entered the very hot season, it’s the perfect time to lean into films that match this time of year. Not everyone will be staying in to watch movies in the heat, but for those who enjoy a warm evening watch, these summer-set stories really hit differently in the middle of the season.
Here, we’re ranking the 10 best summer movies of the decade that capture the feeling of summer in different ways.
10. ‘In the Heights’ (2021)
While it sits at the bottom of this incredibly competitive list, Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical is a massive feat of joy. “In the Heights” is an explosion of color, community, and seriously impressive choreography. The technical ambition of the musical numbers (especially the dancing on the side of an apartment building and the public pool sequence) makes it a blast to watch.
Usnavi (Anthony Ramos) is a bodega owner who dreams of returning to the Dominican Republic while navigating life in his close-knit neighbourhood. Over the course of a few summer days, the story follows him and those around him as they balance work and relationships. These include Nina (Leslie Grace) returning home from college with uncertain plans for the future, Vanessa (Melissa Barrera) pursuing a career in fashion, and Benny working at a local taxi dispatch company.
Buy/rent on Amazon
9. ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ (2017)
“Spider-Man: Homecoming” is arguably the best of the live-action MCU “Spider-Man” films (so far) precisely because it refuses to be an apocalyptic superhero epic. Instead, it is a John Hughes-style high school movie that just happens to have web-swinging. Tom Holland essentially plays the frantic energy of a kid just waiting for summer break. Plus, as a fun fact, the film’s working title during production was reportedly “The Summer of George.”
After helping the Avengers in Germany, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) returns to Queens and tries to manage high school life and duties as Spider-Man. Eager to prove himself worthy of becoming a full-fledged Avenger, he spends his time stopping small-time crimes while keeping his superhero identity a secret from most of his classmates. When he discovers a group of criminals selling advanced weapons created from alien technology, Peter begins investigating despite warnings from his mentor, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.).
Watch on Disney+
8. ‘Booksmart’ (2019)
Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut is one of the funniest high school comedies ever made. At the absolute core of the movie is a refreshing plot centered around female best friendship. Instead of the typical teen-movie drama involving jealousy or competing over love interests, the two leads share a fiercely supportive bond. Their platonic chemistry and hilarious banter give the entire movie its warmth and emotional heartbeat.
On the eve of their high school graduation, best friends Molly (Beanie Feldstein) and Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) realize that many of their classmates managed to get into top colleges while still enjoying a social life. Determined not to leave high school with regrets, the pair set out to attend a huge graduation party and fit four years of missed experiences into one unforgettable night. Their plans quickly turn into chaos as they attend multiple parties and have some awkward run-ins with classmates.
Buy/rent on Amazon
7. ‘Challengers’ (2024)
“Challengers” was a huge hit when it first came out, and it only felt like yesterday when this sports drama blew up. I think we can all agree this intense film operates on pure cinematic adrenaline, thanks to its framing of the tennis court as a psychological battleground where ambition and manipulation completely collide. It channels the heavy July humidity and turns it into a sweaty, high-energy experience driven by loud club music and constant friction between the characters.
Tashi Duncan (Zendaya) is a former tennis prodigy whose playing career is cut short by an injury. Years later, she is coaching her husband, Art Donaldson (Mike Faist), a successful professional player who has fallen into a losing streak. Hoping to rebuild his confidence, Tashi enters him into a lower-level Challenger tournament, where he unexpectedly comes face-to-face with Patrick Zweig (Josh O'Connor), his former best friend and Tashi’s ex-boyfriend.
Watch on Tubi
6. ‘Midsommar’ (2019)
Being a huge horror fan, I had to include “Midsommar.” It’s not your typical summer movie, given that it’s not a mood-booster and doesn’t make you feel good, but it’s an impressive film, because most of the horror takes place in broad daylight. Directed by Ari Aster, this film pulled off a revolutionary feat in modern horror by actively weaponizing the aesthetic of a beautiful paradise. The ending is a massive emotional purge that will probably leave you on edge, but it’s a truly gripping watch.
After a devastating family tragedy, Dani (Florence Pugh) joins her boyfriend Christian (Jack Reynor) and his friends on a trip to a remote village in Sweden for a once-in-a-lifetime midsummer festival. Invited by their friend Pelle (Vilhelm Blomgren), the group arrives expecting a relaxing cultural retreat filled with traditional celebrations and local customs. However, as the festival unfolds over several days, they begin witnessing increasingly unusual rituals and unsettling practices carried out by the isolated community.
Watch on HBO Max
5. ‘Luca’ (2021)
It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t include a charming animated flick, and “Luca” is the perfect little summer movie. This is the cinematic equivalent of a refreshing scoop of gelato on a scorching afternoon. While the core narrative tracks a simple summer friendship, the film has earned enduring praise for its deeper meaning about acceptance. It’s a soft and heartwarming escape that focuses on simple, nostalgic childhood moments instead of any big drama.
Set on the Italian Riviera, “Luca” follows a young sea monster named Luca Paguro (Jacob Tremblay) who becomes fascinated by the world above the ocean's surface. After befriending another sea monster, Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer), he discovers they can take human form when they are dry and begins exploring the nearby seaside town of Portorosso. There, they meet a girl named Giulia (Emma Berman) and set their sights on winning the town's annual triathlon to earn enough money to buy a Vespa scooter.
Watch on Disney+
4. ‘Palm Springs’ (2020)
Something a little different is the romantic sci-fi comedy “Palm Springs,” which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, where it broke the historical record for the highest sale in the festival’s history after selling to Neon and Hulu. It also went on to win Best Comedy at the Critics’ Choice Awards and earned multiple Golden Globe nominations. It effectively takes a time-travel formula that audiences thought had been played out and turns it into an endlessly rewatchable classic about the courage it takes to break out of daily loops.
Nyles (Andy Samberg) is a laid-back wedding guest attending a celebration in the California desert. During the festivities, he forms a connection with Sarah (Cristin Milioti), the bride’s older sister and maid of honor. After a strange incident in the desert, Sarah discovers she is trapped in a time loop, reliving the same wedding day over and over again alongside Nyles. As they repeatedly experience the events of the day, they spend their time exploring different possibilities and trying to understand the unusual situation they find themselves in.
Watch on Hulu
3. ‘Barbie’ (2023)
There’s always room on these best summer movie lists for the absolute global cultural phenomenon, “Barbie.” It was the highest-grossing film of 2023 at $1.44 billion worldwide and secured eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. I don’t really need to explain why this is a great summer flick, given how vibrant and fun the movie is. It’s a rare studio blockbuster that manages to be incredibly funny, beautifully nostalgic, and deeply philosophical all at once.
“Barbie” follows Stereotypical Barbie (Margot Robbie), who lives a seemingly perfect life in Barbieland alongside countless other Barbies and Kens. When she begins experiencing unusual changes in herself, she sets off on a journey to the real world in search of answers. Ken (Ryan Gosling) joins her, and together they arrive in Los Angeles, where they attract the attention of executives from Mattel. With help from Gloria and her daughter, Barbie must decide what comes next.
Watch on HBO Max
2. ‘Call Me by Your Name’ (2017)
Timothée Chalamet initially laid the groundwork for his career with a memorable stint on the television drama “Homeland.” However, his true breakthrough came when he channeled a deeply vulnerable energy into the role of Elio Perlman in Luca Guadagnino’s 2017 romantic drama “Call Me by Your Name.” The Best Picture-nominated film functions as a beautifully lush, sun-drenched summer escape, with Chalamet giving one of his best-ever performances.
Set in northern Italy in 1983, “Call Me by Your Name” follows 17-year-old Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalamet), who spends the summer at his family’s villa with his parents. His father, a professor, invites a graduate student, Oliver (Armie Hammer), to stay and assist with research. As Oliver settles into the household, Elio and Oliver spend their days exploring nearby towns, reading, swimming, and accompanying Elio’s friends on outings. Over time, the two grow increasingly close during their daily routines together.
Watch on Peacock
1. ‘Aftersun’ (2022)
Topping this list is the emotional drama “Aftersun,” one of the most overlooked films of the past five years, despite earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. It’s a deeply moving independent drama written and directed by Scottish filmmaker Charlotte Wells, which almost functions as a poetic psychological puzzle. The story switches between a blissful summer vacation at a faded Turkish resort in the late 1990s and the present day, but it’s the relationship between father and daughter that makes it so memorable.
Sophie (Celia Rowlson Hall) looks back on a holiday she took as a child (Frankie Corio) with her father, Calum (Paul Mescal), at a resort in Turkey. As an adult, she reviews old camcorder recordings and photographs from the trip. The story alternates between Sophie’s memories of the holiday, where she spends time swimming, exploring the resort, attending activities, and observing her father as he tries to make the trip enjoyable. She also pieces together fragments of that period while reflecting on her last days with him and what followed.
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